NSU tees off new year

Freshmen relax at Wylie

Freshmen relax at Wylie

September 01, 2009|BY RUSS KEEN, rkeen@aberdeennews.com

A welcoming blast from trumpets and the smell of smoky, grilled burgers launched Northern State University's new school year early Monday evening on the main campus green. Applause and screams from burger-eaters welcomed celebratory music coming from The Dominant 7, NSU's well-known trumpet/drums/bass group, performing on a balcony overlooking the annual President's Picnic. Rather than standing in a block-long line, students and staff members moved their arms, legs and hips in beat with the trumpets as the last sun of August began to drop toward the west. “It's the spine-tingling sound that defines Northern,” music professor Grant Manhart said of The Dominant 7, which he founded. The group's performance before about 500 picnic-goers marked the beginning of its sixth year. That spine-tingling hallmark also defines Northern's other bands, Manhart said. “This is the official start of the school year,” he told The Dominant 7 before it started its concert. Homey feelings Earlier Monday, hundreds of Northern's freshmen relaxed and played at Wylie Park. Hailing from Rosebud or northern Wisconsin, many of them gave similar reasons for choosing the Aberdeen school. “The small-town atmosphere,” said Derek Heimerl, 18, of Suring, Wis., a town of about 600 near Green Bay. “Professors will know you by name,” said Rabecca Reddest, 18, of Rosebud. “I am not going to get lost on campus.” “I don't want to be a number,” said Shelby Tice, 17, Miller. “I won't be here.” The freshmen at Wylie played free rounds of miniature golf and took free rides on go-karts and bumper boats, compliments of the university. Today is the first full day of classes at Northern. Evening classes started Monday. Most students moved into residence halls Saturday or Sunday. A little loneliness tempered the enthusiasm of Emily Moses, 18, of Pierre as she played golf at Wylie. “It's all right,” she said of launching her college career at Northern. “But my boyfriend stayed home.” He decided to take classes at Capital University Center in Pierre, she said. Grace Hannasch, 18, was among those who left larger cities to come to Aberdeen. “It's homey,” the Fargo, N.D., woman said of Northern. Some freshmen come from nearby. “I am very excited to meet new people,” said Megan Hoffman, 18, Leola. And some, like Ashley Ays, 18, are from Aberdeen. She wants to teach in an elementary school and said she chose Northern because it is known for its education department. The South Dakota Board of Regents does not release enrollment numbers for state universities until October. Last fall, Northern had 2,805 students, an increase of 10 percent from October 2007.